Te Aito, in the words of Hawaiian race director, Micah Kalama, are “the playoffs for the Super Bowl of outrigger paddling”—the qualifying event for Super Aito, held in Tahiti July 24 to 26th. That’s why so many paddlers were eager to compete in this event, held June 6 and 7. More than 500 paddlers raced in 22 divisions, from “Cadets to Vets”—14 and under up to 70. Many of them were paddling ARE TAHITI V1s.
They raced amidst treacherous winds that caused race organizers to alter the courses slightly. But it didn’t alter the competitiveness one bit. On the magnificent waters of Aorai Tinihau, in Pirae, Tahiti, paddlers from near and far participated in a race that honors “the tradition, performance, and community spirit of va’a.” It didn’t disappoint.
A TEAM OPT SWEEP
In the Open Men’s competition, Tueari Hoatua, Tuatea Teraimano, and Hitoroa Masingue made an historic 1-2-3 sweep for TEAM OPT. Led by Hoatua, heralded as the “Champion of the Hawaiki Nui” in a V6 canoe, TEAM OPT dominated. There were also many other winners, including Tahiti’s Iloha Eychenne (below), of the Matairea Hoe club, who won this event for the fourth straight year.
No stranger to these waters, 58-year-old Tahitian Georges Cronsteadt won for the fourth time in the Men’s Masters event.
Typically a race dominated by Tahitians, this year’s event also produced winners from outside of French Polynesia. One notable example was New Zealander Maia Campbell, who won a highly competitive Youth 19 Division race. Campbell was paddling with the memory of his recently deceased mother, who seemed to be with him every stroke. And in the Youth 16 division, two Brazilians, Chance Heire Davita and Lua Resi, finished 2nd and 3rd. It was quite a spectacle—a perfect prelude to the “Super Bowl” of Va’a!
For a complete list of race results and more, see TOTAL PADDLER magazine Te Aito – 2025 Results, and be sure to have your French-English dictionary handy.
V1s
Many V1s.
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